Nick Denton

Well, someone had better check the radioactivity levels of their tea. The UK's Daily Telegraph has picked up Moscow gossip that Vladimir Putin is to leave his wife for a "rhythmic gymnast" less than half his age. It's brave to air the story, considering that Russian journalists have been gunned down for lesser offenses, such as criticism of the killing of civilians in Chechnya. Pictured: the 56-year-old Russian president with 24-year-old Alina Kabaeva, who looks the image of an oligarch's haughty girlfriend.